1.23.2026 - James Lee

Friday, January 23, 2026

This week’s devotions are written by Rev. James Lee. Born in Orange County, raised in the San Gabriel Valley, James desperately holds onto his SoCal roots while currently serving on the opposite coast as the lead pastor of Christ Community CRC on Long Island (about 60miles east of NYC). He has also had the privilege to serve in various capacities for the Christian Reformed Church denomination. James is married to his better half Jin-Young and together, they have three beautiful children.

Galatians 3:26-29

26 So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, 27 for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Growing up as a Korean-American, I struggled with my identity. I never felt American or Korean enough. Today, many assume that I pastor a "Korean-speaking" congregation because of my appearance. In truth, I pastor a congregation that is ninety-percent anglo in a ninety-percent anglo community. Likewise, many who are bicultural or bilingual struggle to fit in within their communities. In today's passage, God calls us to be set apart as "children of God through faith."

Just as I did, I believe that many in Galatia struggled with identity. They struggled with their faith, as they were swayed by the teachings by the law while attempting to reach spiritual maturity through "the flesh" and human efforts. Paul called this act to be completely foolish, and in verse 7, called the Galatians "children of Abraham," not of God. 

Unity in Christ is not about looking or acting or thinking the same. Paul declares that those who are in Christ are removed from social, ethnic, and gender barriers. We are all part of God's family. We are all heirs to God's covenant promises, the lasting legacy of faith that transcends all generations. Galatians 3 reflects Paul's foundational argument for justification by faith over justification by works of the law. Being justified in faith, through Christ means that we are part of God’s story and that this faith is an unconditional gift, regardless of our background. 

Colleagues have asked me if I have “given up” on the Korean church because I do not serve in the Korean church. My response has always been: “All churches need Jesus.” May that unity in Christ that reminds us of being children of God, be the identity and source of strength that we need to press on in our daily walk with the Lord.

How can centering our identity in Christ help us experience Christian unity? How can our struggle in our identity give us solace when we are reminded of our call as children of God in faith?